Formed in 1984 by lifelong Hamilton resident Dr. Russ Weil, the Hamilton All Star Jazz Band (HASJB) served as an enrichment opportunity for talented young musicians from the Greater Hamilton Area. Since its inception, the organization has expanded to include multiple ensembles, ensuring that this enrichment opportunity is available to musicians of all ages and levels.

Mission and Vision

The mission of HASJ is "Music and Youth Building a Better Community". We aim to be the leading arts organization for youth in the Golden Horseshoe. Our young people act as ambassadors for our community. We focus on developing responsibility, commitment, teamwork, leadership and respect in an artistically challenging and inclusive environment. We concentrate on excellence in music performance for local, national and international audiences. HASJ provides a proud legacy that is directed by an enthusiastic group of directors, advisors and volunteers who administer a self-sustaining, multi-tiered program for young people and jazz enthusiasts.

Our Organization and Program

Hamilton All Star Jazz (HASJ) consists of 4 ensembles for musicians of all ages.

• Junior Stars (ages 11-15)
• Rising Stars Jazz Band (ages 15-19)
• All Star Jazz Band (ages 15-25)
• Vocal Stars (ages 15-25)
• After Hours Jazz Band (ages 25+)

Members of our ensemble develop their musicianship through the preparation of classic and contemporary big band and vocal jazz ensemble repertoire. There is a concerted focus on performing the music of the most influential names in jazz history, including Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday, as well as highlighting the contributions of Canadian musicians such as Mike Malone, Rob McConnell, and Phil Nimmons.

Highlights

• 10 consecutive Gold awards at Musicfest regional festivals
• 3 Gold awards at Musicfest Canada
• Award of Excellence at the Clark Terry Jazz Festival, University of New Hampshire
• 3 Awards of Excellence at the Tri-C Jazz Festival, Cleveland, Ohio
• Performances for the Prime Minister, 2 Governors General, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, at Queen's Park in Toronto, at numerous civic celebrations, and at a special celebration for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in Hamilton
• Performances at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland - 1995, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2012
• Performances at jazz festivals in Vienne, Avignon, Juan-les-Pins, Aix les-Bains, Aix-en-provence and Reims in France, Freiburg in Germany, Sanremo in Italy and Brienz in Switzerland
• Performance of an all-Canadian program at the Canadian Embassy in Paris - 2000, 2003, and again at the Ambassador's home for a private diplomatic function on Canada Day 2000
• Performances at Juno Beach Memorial to Canadian Veterans in Courseulles-sur-Mer, France - 2003, 2012
• Performances at the International Association for Jazz Education Conference in New York City - 1998
• Performances at the Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans - 2024
• HASJB has released 9 CDs to date
• HASJB has shared the stage with Pat LaBarbera, Rob McConnell, Rick Wilkins, Kenny Wheeler, Guido Basso, Alex Dean, Mike Malone, David Braid, Chase Sanborn, Kevin Turcotte, Mike Murley, Kelly Jefferson, Terry Promane, John Johnson, John Mcleod, and the great Phil Nimmons
• HASJB alumni have won 3 Grammy Awards and have been nominated for 47 JUNO Awards, with 12 winners to date